The Bronze Age and Early Iron Age Hoards of the Colchian Culture in Western and Central Caucasus

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The research projects aims at exploring the hoards in west Georgian Kolchis. This is the easternmost known Eurasian hoard province. Up to now no complete and modern catalogue of the hoards of so called Kolchis culture exist. In the majority of the cases the published drawings and photographs do not fulfill modern standards. Therefore, the detailed documentation of these hoards lies at the center of this project and includes drawings, pictures and all technical measurements (including weight) of the objects. Furthermore, the work in museum storage rooms and archives will be supplemented by the localization of the sites where hoards were found. This is basic for their recontextualisation in the broader cultural environment. Topography and deposition customs will be described in detail. The screening of the metal finds by a portable XRF device will enable distinguishing different material groups and their chronological significance. This will support a revision of the overall chronology of the Colchian hoards. The comparison with the votive offerings in sanctuaries in Eastern Georgia will eventually shed light on more general questions of ritual practices in the Caucasus as well as in the Mediterranean Basin